Blackburn rest Neill for Liverpool trip

Graeme Souness took the decision to leave Lucas Neill out of the Blackburn side for today's trip to Anfield.

Graeme Souness took the decision to leave Lucas Neill out of the Blackburn side for today's trip to Anfield.

The Australian full-back had been sent off in his last two games against Liverpool and was was responsible for the tackle which broke Jamie Carragher's leg back in September.

The Blackburn boss was eager not to create even more pressure on his side than they are already under as they fight to avoid the drop.

Also out from the side which lost to Portsmouth last week was Andy Cole, who drops to the bench.

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Striker Paul Gallagher and defender Markus Babbel - on loan at Ewood Park from Anfield - came in to the starting XI.

For Liverpool, Michael Owen passed a fitness test on his hamstring problem and was restored upfront, having missed the draw at Leicester and England's midweek defeat in Sweden.

Boss Gerard Houllier left our Djimi Traore, Bruno Cheyrou and Milan Baros from last week's side, with John Arne Riise and El-Hadji Diouf joining Owen in the starting line-up.